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Title: IVF: First genetically-modified human embryos 'could be created in Britain within weeks'
Source:
Independent
URL Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/s ... ain-within-weeks-a6810506.html
Published: Jan 13, 2016
Author: Steve Connor
Post Date: 2016-01-13 15:52:13 by cranky
Keywords: None
Views: 2810
Comments: 18
The research involves editing of the genes of day-old IVF embryos The first genetically-modified human embryos could be created in Britain within weeks according to the scientists who are about to learn whether their research proposal has been approved by the fertility watchdog. Although it will be illegal to allow the embryos to live beyond 14 days, and be implanted into the womb, the researchers accepted that the research could one day lead to the birth of the first GM babies should the existing ban be lifted for medical reasons. A licence application to edit the genes of “spare” IVF embryos for research purposes only is to be discussed on 14 January by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), with final approval likely to be given this month. Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute in London said that if they are given the go-ahead they could begin work straight away, leading to the first transgenic human embryos created in Britain within the coming weeks or months. The researchers emphasised that the research concerns the fundamental causes of infertility and involves editing of the genes of day-old IVF embryos that will not be allowed to develop beyond the seven-day “blastocyst” stage – it will be illegal to implant the modified embryos into the womb to create GM babies. However, they accepted that if the research leads to a discovery of a genetic mutation that could improve the chances of successful pregnancies in women undergoing IVF treatment, it could lead to pressure to change the existing law to allow so-called “germ-line” editing of embryos and the birth of GM children. Sperm and embryo samples in the cryo store at Birmingham Women's Hospital fertility clinic (Getty) “If you found that there were people carrying a specific mutation which meant that their embryos would never implant [in the womb], then you could contemplate using the genome-editing technique to make germ-line changes which would then allow the offspring of that woman to be able to reproduce without having a problem,” said Professor Robin Lovell-Badge of the Crick Institute. “It’s possible. We don’t know. It’s just one of those unknowns, [but that would be a good argument] for allowing it to be used in a way that doesn’t have any other consequences, and remember quite a few genes that are active in the early embryo have roles later on,” Professor Lovell-Badge said. Such a scenario is likely to be strongly opposed by some. David King, director of the pressure group Human Genetics Alert, said: “This is the first step on a path that scientists have carefully mapped out towards the legalisation of GM babies. Although we are always told that the HFEA is there to make sure that crucial ethical lines are not crossed, in reality, the HFEA exists precisely in order to manage and facilitate these transitions, and to make sure that the slope stays slippery.” 
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#1. To: cranky (#0)
The time when babies can be born without carrying any defective genes from either parent that leads to things like diabetes,cancer,early heart failure,blindness,etc,etc,etc is not far off if we can keep the religious kooks from interfering,and keep the population control people under control. I see the biggest problem being future births being regulated by the governments to prevent over-population from all the people not dying. Obviously,if fewer people die,there is less need for more people to be born,and if pregnancies are allowed to happen in an unregulated way,we would soon be swarming with humans. The other side of this argument will be "If the birth of babies is restricted,who will be around working and paying the taxes to support all these 120 year old seniors?" Anyway you look at it,it is a complex problem and there won't be any easy answers until and unless we start colonizing other worlds.
#2. To: sneakypete (#1)
That's true enough. But what scares me is who gets to decide which solutions are implemented.
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Replies to Comment # 1. Anyway you look at it,it is a complex problem and there won't be any easy answers
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